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Hampton University has announced that four graduates of the historically Black college and university (HBCU) are now serving in leadership roles with a new non-profit group of marine scientists and environmental scientists.
According to Hampton, Black in Marine Science began as a way to inspire young people, while shedding light on the lack of diversity.
“The time for racial and ocean justice is now. I think the biggest thing is that we need to stop thinking small scale. We want black people in Marine Science and we are providing the space to do that. That is my goal with Black in Marine Science,” said Tiara Moore, founder of Black in Marine Science, in a statement.
The "organizers of Black in Marine Science" are founder Dr. Tiara Moore, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington; chief financial officer Dr. Camille Gaynus, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania; chief innovation officer Dr. Jeanette Davis, a children’s book author, and marine environmental DNA researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and chief learning officer Mrs. Symone Barkley, an environmental educator at the National Aquarium in Baltimore (in headline photo).
Hampton University says the organization plans to increase diversity in marine science while also providing a place to uphold the excellent Black scientists who already exist in the field.